Providence Air Quality in August
Across 2019–2025, Providence's August air quality had a median AQI of 51 (Moderate) over 217 monitored days in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA area. 2.3% of August days (5 of 217) reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, and ground-level ozone set the daily AQI on 54.4% of days. The cleanest August on record here was 2023 (median AQI 47, 0 days above 100) and the worst was 2024 (median 48, 2 days above 100, peak AQI 147).
- Good: 49.8%
- Moderate: 47.9%
- Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups: 2.3%
- Unhealthy or worse: 0.0%
Improve Indoor Air Quality
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How is the air in Providence in August?
Moderate on a typical day: median AQI 51 across 2019–2025, with 2.3% of August days above AQI 100. Ground-level ozone is the main driver.
- ✓49.8% of August days were Good (AQI 0–50), 47.9% Moderate (51–100).
- ✓5 days of 217 reached AQI 101+; the August peak was 147.
- ✓Best August: 2023; worst August: 2024.
Frequently asked questions
What is the air quality like in Providence in August?▾
Across 2019–2025, the median daily AQI in Providence in August was 51 (Moderate). 49.8% of days were Good, 47.9% Moderate, and 2.3% reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, based on 217 monitored days in EPA's Air Quality System.
Is August a good time for outdoor exercise in Providence?▾
A typical August day in Providence is Moderate (median AQI 51): outdoor exercise is acceptable for most people, but unusually sensitive individuals should watch for symptoms, and about 1 day in 43 of August days (2.3%) reached AQI 101+ — the level at which EPA advises people with asthma, children and older adults to shorten hard outdoor exertion.
Which pollutant causes Providence's August air quality problems?▾
Ground-level ozone set the daily AQI on 54.4% of August days in Providence. The highest August AQI recorded in 2019–2025 was 147 (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups), in 2024.
Providence August air quality, year by year
Providence August air quality by year (Providence-Warwick, RI-MA, EPA AQS daily AQI)
| Year | Days monitored | Median AQI | Days above 100 | Peak AQI | Main pollutant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 31 | 51 | 0 | 87 | PM2.5 |
| 2020 | 31 | 55 | 1 | 112 | PM2.5 |
| 2021 | 31 | 53 | 1 | 147 | PM2.5 |
| 2022 | 31 | 48 | 0 | 87 | O3 |
| 2023cleanest | 31 | 47 | 0 | 93 | O3 |
| 2024worst | 31 | 48 | 2 | 147 | O3 |
| 2025 | 31 | 45 | 1 | 122 | O3 |
What August air means in Providence
A typical August day in Providence is Moderate (median AQI 51): outdoor exercise is acceptable for most people, but unusually sensitive individuals should watch for symptoms, and about 1 day in 43 of August days (2.3%) reached AQI 101+ — the level at which EPA advises people with asthma, children and older adults to shorten hard outdoor exertion.
August's median AQI of 51 is above Providence's whole-year median of 47, making it one of the area's dirtier periods. Nationally, the median August AQI across every EPA metro area (104,152 metro-days, 2019–2025) is 45, so Providence runs above the national August norm; 2.3% of its August days topped AQI 100 versus 3.5% nationally (below average).
August is part of Providence's summer season (June, July, August); the summer page pools all three months.
Activity-specific thresholds: running, cycling, kids' sports.
Right now in Providence
The latest EPA AirNow observation puts Providence's AQI at 43 (PM2.5). The figures above are multi-year month statistics, not today's reading.
View current Providence air quality →Source: EPA Air Quality System (AQS) pre-generated Daily AQI by CBSA files — daily AQI by CBSA (Providence-Warwick, RI-MA), 2019–2025. Daily AQI per CBSA is the highest AQI reported by any monitor in the area that day; the defining parameter is the pollutant that set it. Month and season statistics pool every such day in the period across all years listed. Retrieved 2026-09-09.